Retro Indy: The cars may be on the track but the party's in the Snake Pit at the Indy 500

Indianapolis Star

23-05-2025

While Indianapolis 500 fans have never been known for their demure behavior, those who watch the race from the Snake Pit have long had a reputation for being the rowdiest of the rowdy.
One of the earliest mentions in print of Indianapolis Motor Speedway's Snake Pit appeared in 1961, when an Indianapolis News story used the term to refer to the oval's southwest turn, which it described as being filled with 'sunbathers, smoochers and picnickers.'
Eight years later, the paper reported that the days of the Snake Pit, now described as 'a virtual no-man's land,' might be numbered. About 40 guards roamed the area, which was rife with underage drinkers. The Speedway mulled banning carry-in beer to decrease the debauchery, the story said.
But no action was taken and the next year, the Indianapolis News reported that college-age race fans 'packed ice bucket to ice bucket' filled the area near Turn 1. Many played frisbee or engaged in the less tame activity of tossing a person sitting on a blanket high into the air.
Streaking became the favored pastime for restless fans during breaks in the racing action in 1974. One man snuck into the officials' tower, dropped his trousers and jumped to the ground. He seized the checkered flag and hit his head as he landed. His bleeding wound did not keep him from running down the track, waving the flag, clad only in sneakers, according to a 1974 Indianapolis News story.
Meanwhile in the Snake Pit, 'streakers by the dozens and rioters by the hundreds' partied hard. On one day about 130 people were arrested after a melee in which police were attacked and injured.
In a deliberate move to calm the party, the following year track officials allowed people to park their cars and vans in the problem area. The season did not get off to a great start, however, with reports in the Indianapolis News that police had to stop some 'impromptu stripping and the like.'
On one practice day, police tried to arrest a 15-year-old who was drinking. In protest, the Snake Pit crowd broke antennas and smashed fenders on police cars, leading police to resort to tear gas. Still by race day, the Snake Pit fans had toned down their act enough that an Indianapolis Star article approvingly described the crowd as 'something less than berserk.'
The Snake Pit party turned tragic on Carb Day in 1980. A 19-year-old man drove to the gate, saying he planned to return after filling his Jeep with gas. When track personnel told him that he would have to pay to reenter, he backed the vehicle up and tried to speed off. The Jeep rolled over, killing him and injuring his passenger.
Over the next decade, newspaper mentions of a raucous Snake Pit faded. By 1991 Turn 1 had become the media parking lot and spectator bleachers. Turn 4 at one point was considered the Snake Pit heir apparent but bleachers there prevented it from becoming the new Snake Pit.
In 2009, the Snake Pit resurfaced inside Turn 3, an Indianapolis Star story reported. For $20 a head, race fans could park in the lawn there. Frisbee gave way to cornhole but there was still plenty of alcohol.